It was indeed a proud moment for India which has been designated as the Guest of Honour Country at the ongoing four-day Paris Book Festival 2022. The PBF started on April 21 and on the same day the India Pavilion was also inaugurated by the Indian Ambassador to France Jawed Ashraf.
The inauguration was followed by a spectacular Rajasthani folk music programme, “Sounds of India”.
Taking to Twitter, the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed satisfaction at this honour.
Honoured to be the guest of honour country at the Paris Book Festival 2022. As we celebrate #AmritMahotsav, I am sure the @festival_livre will serve as a platform to celebrate our literary and linguistic diversity. #festivaldulivredeparis https://t.co/dZ8vW5Kcn4
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) April 22, 2022
Designed by the National Institute of Design, the India Pavilion includes more than 15 digital and physical exhibitions displaying over 400 books published in various Indian languages representing the works of 65 Indian publishers.
The highlights of the Pavilion include launch and sale/exhibition of 10 illustrated children’s books in French translation published by National Book Trust. Among these books are one on Mahatma Gandhi for kids, and one which has a story by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore.
Sudha Murthy, Dewan Mewari, Valerie Gaudart, Priyanka Aggarwal, Suddhasattwa Basu and Vikas Dave during the discussion on ‘Emerging Trends in Children’s Literature’ at the India Pavilion
Also, there is a special edition book on Chandernagore situated in West Bengal which highlights the French legacy in India.
The events and exhibitions showcasing India’s multi-lingual linguistic traditions and celebration of the country’s 75 years of Independence, include participation of more than 35 speakers among whom are noted Indian and French writers in more than 25 literary sessions.
The Inauguration of the India Pavilion was a determined start to the #ParisBookFestival with the launch of French translations of 10 Indian Books published by NBT India; a precursor to the 4-day literary and cultural extravaganza.#AzadiKaAmritMahotsav #FLP2022@PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/Gh40qpwxDl
— National Book Trust, India (@nbt_india) April 22, 2022
These literary sessions will take up issues like ‘Indian influences on the Art and Architecture of Europe’, ‘Women Writers and Their Creative Sphere’, ‘Mahatma Gandhi and Romain Rolland: A 21st Century Perspective’, ‘Science and Ayurveda’, ‘Many Languages, One Literature’, ‘Climate Change Concerns in Contemporary Writings’ etc.
Among the eminent personalities who have been invited for the sessions are Sudha Murthy, Vikram Sampath, Acharya Balkrishna, Rakesh Kumar Vyas, Valeries Goudart, Suddhasattwa Basu and many others.
Besides there are several cultural performances involving more than 50 artists including Aparna Shreedhar, Mallika Thalak, Brigitte Chatiginer, Mahina Khanum and others also lined up.
